The Indiana Department of Child Services is joining numerous child advocacy groups that are holding 83 candlelight vigils across Indiana.

This includes one Governor Mike Pence plans to attend on the south steps on the Statehouse.

The goal is to raise awareness about preventing child abuse. DCS Spokesperson Stephanie McFarland says the vigils are also being held in conjunction with Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month in Indiana.

McFarland says there were just over 170,000 complaints about child abuse in Indiana last year. She says that figure is up from about 150,000 the year before.

She says that is in part due to more awareness about the Indiana Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline.

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